Yesterday I went along to the Art Society where I paint with friends on Fridays.I had picked some geraniums,a couple of nasturtiums,an Australian native flower from the car park at the shopping centre,a few sweet peas and a variegated pink and white flower from a bush I passed on the way.I had also taken my watercolours,some ink ,pastels and oil crayons.I was prepared to try anything to make my paintings more exciting.My trolley was quite heavy heavy to drag along behind me.

I set up my table and got busy .I had placed my flowers in water in a jar on the table and for the next six hours I took the flowers out one by one and attempted to paint them.It is great being able to paint with friends as we help one another by suggesting where a painting might be improved or listen when someone says "stop,don't do anymore" .

We stop for lunch and the highlight of the day is to cross the road to a shop called Perryman's which has been there since I was a child and we buy something to eat.It is only a small bakery but there is always a line of people stretching out onto the footpath waiting to be served.The food is delicious.One of my friends remarked yesterday,"I have been waiting for this all the week".While we eat lunch we discuss a variety of subjects but usually art comes into the conversation.

By about 3 pm I had attempted to paint the character of each of my flowers but I had forgotten to use my pastels and crayons.I used a little ink in one of my paintings.

I had concentrated so hard all day without feeling tired but when it comes to pack up and clean up time the tiredness sets in.However last night some of us were involved in a combined exhibition called the "wet and dry " exhibition,where members of the Sth. Aust Watercolour Soc and the Pastel Soc of S.A. Could enter their work...so after going home and getting ready we drove to Gallery M for the opening .It was a lovely night.The exhibition was really lovely,the speeches were great and we were able to meet up with lots of other artists.To top it off I sold a painting of a single rose!!

Wednesday, 17 September 2014

I have come to the realisation that I am not using enough water and I am not letting my washes dry thoroughly before adding more colour.

I threw out two failed paintings yesterday...Too heavy ,not enough white paper left and muddied washes.So...back to the drawing board!

I spent a few hours going through some of my reference books.I love Jean Haines ' flowers and loose washes.I am intrigued as to how she manages to get so many transparent colours in her paintings and I am eagerly awaiting her visit to Australia in November.I am booked into one of her 2 day workshops at the Adelaide Art Society.Before then I will persevere and try to be more patient.I also read two of Shirley Trevena's books.Her paintings are so complex ,colorful and bright.I really like her work too.

I love Fridays as this is the one day of the week when nothing interferes with Painting.I always wake early and leave with my art gear by around 8:30 .It is just a short walk over to the Adelaide Art Society so I find it easier to walk with a trolley rather than having to shift my car every two or three hours.A group of us meets regularly to paint and we all do whatever medium we prefer on the day,so it is quite likely to find oils,acrylic,pastel ,watercolour, sketching or planning being done.We are great friends,we meet socially,we celebrate special occasions,we sometimes go on painting get - a-ways and we support and help one another as we paint.
Today I decided to finish off a few watercolour paintings and as I did I pinned them to the wall where I photographed them with my iPhone .A short time ago I was looking at the pictures and I noticed that the photos I took today with my phone are so much clearer and true to the real colours than when I took some previously with my IPad.
Therefore I will put them on my Blog .

I have really been trying to improve my watercolour painting by practising constantly,reading articles,watching YouTube productions and discussing my concerns with friends.My main emphasis has been painting flowers while seeking to express them in a freer way.Using more water seems to me to be one of the many solutions.
Sometimes I toy with the idea of just dropping colour onto a sheet of paper ,spraying it,moving the paper carefully while watching where the paint goes.I have tried that,then let it dry and then worked back into the various colours with my pencil.
I have tried drawing out very sketchily where I want my flowers to go then put background colours in,let it dry completely,and worked each section carefully .
I will continue practising.

I love the freshness of watercolour and the beautiful effects that can be made when colours mingle on the paper.It is exciting and at the same time maddening when it doesn't always work out.However,I keep telling myself"It is only a bit of paper"